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Anorexia nervosa is characterized by low body weight and body image distortion with an obsessive fear of gaining weight. Individuals with anorexia often control body weight by voluntary starvation, purging, vomiting, excessive exercise, or other weigh control measures, such as diet pills or diuretic drugs. It often primarily affects young adolescent... more

Bulimia Nervosa is a psychological condition in which the subject engages in recurrent binge eating followed by intentional purging. This purging is done in order to compensate for the excessive intake of the food and to prevent weight gain. Purging typically takes the form of vomiting; inappropriate use of laxatives... more

Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is currently listed under Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified in the DSM-IV-TR.  In binge eating disorder, the person does not regularly engage in compensatory behaviors, such as, vomiting, fasting or doing strenuous exercise after binge eating.  Another eating disorder category under Eating Disorder NOS meets all the criteria for Bulimia except that binge eating and compensatory behaviors are less than two times per week or for less than three months.   Often, people with Binge Eating Disorder are overweight or obese.. more

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Free Support Groups
Posted December 04, 2008 5:49 PM in Eating Disorders

Free Weekly ANAD-Eating Disorders Support Groups

The Bella Vita in Los Angeles
766 Colorado Blvd Los Angeles 90041
323-255-0400

Adolescents: Thursdays 4pm—5pm
Adults: Mondays 6pm—7pm

The Bella Vita in San Fernando Valley
6400 Canoga Ave Ste 154 Woodland Hills, CA 91367
818-676-1540

Adolescents: Monday nights from 6pm-7pm.

www.thebellavita.com

For males and females in both locations


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Tags: eating disorders los angeles, eating disorders woodland hills, ANAD groups, free eating disorder support groups, eating disorders support

Manorexia
Posted December 04, 2008 5:48 PM in Eating Disorders

Dr. Patricia Pitts was interviewed for a segment on Extra, featuring Manorexia, which airs Friday December 5th at 7:00pm on Channel 4.  A former Bella Vita client who had anorexia, was also interviewed.
With proper treatment the fatality rate of Anorexia drops from 20% to 2-3%.  Anorexia and other eating disorders in men are under reported, under diagnosed, under treated and a very secretive disorder and because of this, men are at a much higher risk to not seek treatment.
Men are feeling greater social pressure now to appear lean and muscular with a six-pack, billboard physique, like women have since the early 80's. Additionally, participation in many sports demands thinness. Men who were overweight as children have a higher incidence of anorexia.  Exercise Bulimia is also very common in men, amongst other eating disorders.    

The Bella Vita has treatment options for males with eating disorders.


 


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Tags: manorexia, anorexia, male body image

Media messages and poor body images
Posted December 04, 2008 4:19 PM in Eating Disorders

The constant stream of media messages takes its toll on those with poor body images:

  • 5,000 Ads/day, one-third focus on appearance
  • Models are thinner than 98% of Americans
  • Models in media print are air brushed
  • Promotes negative body image
  • Boys & girls alike impacted by the media’s focus on appearance

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Tags: media eating disorders, skinny actresses with eating disorders, thinness in los angeles, thin models in magazines

Dimensions of an Eating Disorder
Posted December 04, 2008 4:17 PM in Eating Disorders

Dimensions of an Eating Disorder

There are many dimensions to an eating disorder:

  • Psychological – people pleasers, difficulty confronting effectively, inability to have their own voice, perfectionist, obsessive compulsive, isolate, etc.
  • Interpersonal – abusive, smothering, emotionally unavailable, controlling, blaming/placating relationships, etc.
  • Cultural – what’s in:  Twiggy, Muscular, Breasts, Celebrity Anorexia; Diet of the Day; and Exercise Fad; what matters is what works for you.
  • Genetic – anorexia runs in families, bulimics come from alcoholic families, depression & anxiety
  • Spiritual – purpose & meaning in life

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Tags: psychology, eating disorders

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